TheSamba.com :: View topic - Awesome compact COMFY camping chairs for your westy...

Sat Apr 26, 2014 9:55 pm

In preparation for our upcoming 4-month trip, I just scored a pair of these for me and my pretty counterpart:

https://www.helinox.com.au/helinox-chair-one.php

Here's a big thread about them on the ADVRider forum that led me to try one out.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=913957

The thread spoke to me in that I'm a stocky 250-pounder, and the other ultralight camp chairs on the market made me nervous about taking them out with my bulk. These puppies are rated to 320lbs, are smaller than a pineapple folded up, half the weight of my top-of-the-line laptop, and I've been sitting in one just now for 3 hours and am comfortable as heck, and my butt ain't numb :) I think these things might be magic.

I'm going to spend the next 4 months abusing mine—I'll post back and let you know how it holds up, but so far this is shaping up to be the best camping purchase I've made in a decade (the last really great one was our MSR Mutha Hubba tent).

Sat Apr 26, 2014 10:09 pm

I also have a Pair of these and I really like them. Being a heavy guy I've put tennis balls on the feet of the chairs to keep them from sinking. Works great. And the balls will fit in the carry bag with the chair.

Jim.

Sat Apr 26, 2014 10:19 pm

At that price this is one camping chair I would not leave behind to hold my campsite reserved.

Sun Apr 27, 2014 4:57 am

What is the price 4 the chairs?? all i could find was $99(ea??) ain't gonna happen at this level.

Sun Apr 27, 2014 6:09 am

FWIW, another option that I personally love is the Kermit chair:

http://www.kermitchair.com

Hubby and I are motorcyclists, so all of our gear is super light and packs tiny to fit on bikes/in panniers. The Kermit chairs pack incredibly small, support up to 350 pounds, are easy to set up and they're super sturdy. I've tried a bunch of "ultra light" chairs and for someone who's heavy, this is by far the most comfy chair I've tried. Plus they sell leg extenders if you don't want a super short chair.

We got ours embroidered so they wouldn't wander off. They're huge in the motorcycling community, and I think their small pack size is gonna make them great for our Vanagon camping. They're pricey, but they have a 5-year warranty and the company has a great reputation for customer service.

Sun Apr 27, 2014 6:43 am

Wow, all look vastly better than the $7 umbrella chairs, but the Kermit, would cost me 358 for two with the extensions! Dang.

There must be a really nice chair out there that won't break the bank that bad.

Makes that Aussie chair look downright inexpensive!

Sun Apr 27, 2014 7:39 am

Light, strong or cheap…pick any two... :wink:

Mine's not small or light, but it's strong & I like to rest my head back so I love the tall back:
http://www.inventorycheap.com/alps-mountaineering-...medium=cse

Having said that, if I win the lottery I'm in for the Aussie model! 8)

Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:19 am

timichango wrote: In preparation for our upcoming 4-month trip, I just scored a pair of these for me and my pretty counterpart:

https://www.helinox.com.au/helinox-chair-one.php

Here's a big thread about them on the ADVRider forum that led me to try one out.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=913957

The thread spoke to me in that I'm a stocky 250-pounder, and the other ultralight camp chairs on the market made me nervous about taking them out with my bulk. These puppies are rated to 320lbs, are smaller than a pineapple folded up, half the weight of my top-of-the-line laptop, and I've been sitting in one just now for 3 hours and am comfortable as heck, and my butt ain't numb :) I think these things might be magic.

I'm going to spend the next 4 months abusing mine—I'll post back and let you know how it holds up, but so far this is shaping up to be the best camping purchase I've made in a decade (the last really great one was our MSR Mutha Hubba tent).

The chairs at REI like this force me into too much of a reclining position. Is the Chair One different?

Sun Apr 27, 2014 9:19 am

BillWYellowstone wrote: Wow, all look vastly better than the $7 umbrella chairs, but the Kermit, would cost me 358 for two with the extensions! Dang.

There must be a really nice chair out there that won't break the bank that bad.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TdkVc-C6WaA

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0026VQC0I/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1398615395&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40

Sun Apr 27, 2014 10:05 am

I've been using these and I think they're great. Pretty reclined and low to the ground but it's perfect for me. I tried some more upright chairs and ended up returning them. Stow away pretty small as well.

http://www.rei.com/product/765270/rei-camp-stowaway-low-chair

Sun Apr 27, 2014 10:13 am

I have them and they are perfect for us. I don't mind the laying back, you're camping! They also seat you lower to the ground so you are closer to the camp fire and drinks are easy to reach on the ground.

Package size is tiny. About 1/3 the size of typical camp chairs and super light. I have two in the tiny cabinet to the left of the westy fridge.

They were on sale a little while ago from amazon http://www.amazon.com/Helinox-Chair-One-Camp-Black...ds=hilinox and my girlfriend bought them for my birthday :D

Sun Apr 27, 2014 10:55 am

FWIW, a Helinox copy is available at REI: http://www.rei.com/product/829239/rei-flex-lite-chair .

I bought an Alite Manits, which is also the same thing, for a backpack trip: http://www.rei.com/product/866716/alite-mantis-chair (although, the one I have was on clearance, so I didn't pay nearly that much! :o )

One thing about these lightweight chairs: If the wind comes up and you aren't sitting it them, they will turn into kites! :shock:

Sun Apr 27, 2014 11:25 am

Checked all the links, they all look good, but Inventory Cheap chair looks heavy and not much different than the other ones I have, bought, given etc.

Where oh where is that perfect chair, not all the way down like some of these, (getting older and getting out of those requires a lot of grunting), something not 13 pounds, light for carrying to the hill at festivals, cheap enough so I don't mind leaving it on the hill for the duration. Guess we will stick to the cheapo umbrella chairs for the fests.

Sun Apr 27, 2014 12:51 pm

ThankYouJerry wrote: BillWYellowstone wrote: Wow, all look vastly better than the $7 umbrella chairs, but the Kermit, would cost me 358 for two with the extensions! Dang.

There must be a really nice chair out there that won't break the bank that bad.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TdkVc-C6WaA

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0026VQC0I/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1398615395&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40

And here is the more expensive version...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UjLsnGsalSI

Sun Apr 27, 2014 1:14 pm

One thing to note is the service life of these chairs. Spending $100+ on a chair that lasts two or three years is not ideal. We opted for a pair of Kermits for this reason. Certainly at the higher end of camp chairs in terms of price, but incredibly strong, lightweight, durable and very comfortable. If cost is not an issue, spend a little extra for the high quality. And have them embroidered with your name so they don't wander at the campground.

Sun Apr 27, 2014 2:51 pm

a great comparo vid of the REI version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aeZ_pIpgEY

this guy can't get out of the chair without help
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nbBAkw7i_4&feature=youtu.be&t=8m20s

Sun Apr 27, 2014 3:17 pm

I looked at a few of those chairs and the one thing they had in common was that they were a tad difficult to get out of. I tried and went with "The Larry Chair"

http://www.mec.ca/product/5036-160/travel-chair-larry-chair/?q=chairs

In a household test drive and one campfire in the backyard I am very pleased.The bars beside your butt allow you to assist yourself during exit! :)

Just planning for the inevitable.
Brian

Sun Apr 27, 2014 3:24 pm

Everybody is different. In my case it makes no sense to invest on this or that camping chair. I don't usually last more than 15 minutes sitting down. Somehow I'm always busy either at the campsite BBQ, the fire pit, gathering more wood, taking the kid to the potty, chasing the kids in the woods, pulling something from the van, checking the battery level, getting more water or giving my chair away to somebody else that needs it. I have had four $15 BB&B chairs for about 10 years now. They just don't break and nobody wants to steal them!

Sun Apr 27, 2014 4:13 pm

The never ending question...need or want? haha I don't need this chair...simply wanted it! The folding camp chairs were due to retire and I was looking for a more compact replacement. My kids use the thermarest type pad chairs. Now the adults are down on the low down with them(closer to the ground) :)

I to am a busy guy around the campsite. Always something to tweak here or there. The chair just gives me a central location for my beer so I don't lose it!

The most relaxing part of any camping, for me, is the fire...because it's closely followed by sleeping in the Westy! :)

Brian

Sun Apr 27, 2014 4:44 pm

Anyone know a source for a wooden, smallish folding adirondack camp chair?

I saw them once, but a google search didn't hit the mark. The ones that I saw did not have arm rests, just a wooden slat seat and a wooden, slat sloping back.

Thanks.